Naturally Reduce Muscle Pain and Tension with Essential Oils

Naturally Reduce Muscle Pain And Tension With Essential Oils

ByOrganic Aromas

There are many causes of muscle pain, stemming from sports injuries all the way to chronic illnesses. The causes of this pain can vary depending on the person. Some of the most common causes of muscle pain include:

  • Lyme Disease
  • Sprains
  • Dehydration (can cause muscle cramps)
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Autoimmune diseases (RA, Lupus, MS)
  • Certain medications (such as statins)
  • Injury

No matter what the cause, muscle pain can range from mildly annoying to completely debilitating. It can cause you to put your life on hold while you find ways to deal with the discomfort. Both over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription medication can have unwanted side-effects, leaving people to search for natural remedies to ease their muscle pain.

Essential Oils To Beat Muscle Pain

Essential oils have been used to treat illness and pain for centuries. A drop or two can help the ease pain and tension, whether diluted in a carrier oil and used for a massage or added to an essential oil diffuser for inhalation.

  • The ability to relax spasms and ease tension makes marjoram essential oil effective at controlling muscle pain. Studies show that it contains compounds that can effectively reduce inflammation.
  • Peppermint oil is effective at easing pain in muscles due to its analgesic properties. Peppermint essential oil has been shown to help reduce headache pain. It also contains anti-inflammatory compounds and is a natural antispasmodic.
  • Eucalyptus essential oil has an initial cooling effect on muscles that warms up tissues and can increase circulation. Studies show it is an effective natural pain reducer and anti-inflammatory.
  • Data suggests that rosemary essential oil can have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. It has a stimulating scent that uplifts.
  • Clary Sage. Research shows how effective clary sage essential oil can be to reduce menstrual pain, spasms, and cramping. It also eases muscle tension and promotes relaxation.
  • Ginger. Ginger has warming properties that can soothe sore muscles. It has also been shown to be effective at reducing inflammation. Ginger essential oil has natural pain relieving properties.

Use these oils on their own or use a pre-made essential oil blend that contains one or more of them.

The Troubles With Chronic Tension

Stress can have a dramatic effect on the body. When the body is stressed, it causes muscles to tense up and become rigid. This is the body’s natural response to guard itself against injury. When the stressful event is over, the muscles can relax back to their natural state.

Chronic stress is different. A body that is under chronic stress remains in a constant state of tension. When muscles stay tight, it can lead to stress-related disorders such as migraines or tension headaches. Chronic stress can also be responsible for continual pain in the:

  • Shoulders
  • Neck
  • Head
  • Lower back
  • Upper extremities

Chronic stress can cause more than just muscle pain. It can cause damage to other systems of the body such as the digestive system, immune system, and endocrine system. This is what makes stress-control an essential part of your well-being. By taking steps to reduce stress, it can help to ease the pain and illness that can accompany it.

Naturally Reduce Muscle Pain And Tension With Essential Oils

Essential Oils To Ease Tension

Essential oils can play a large role in reducing the effects of stress. Many people use aromatherapy as a natural medicine for the mind, body, and spirit. Certain essential oils have properties that can help you relax by putting your muscles into a natural state.  A review in Psychology Today lists essential oils as an effective treatment to reduce stress and relieve tension. Here are the oils you should try:

  • Lavender essential oil – As one of the most researched essential oils today, lavender is well-known for its ability to calm, relax, and induce sleep.
  • Bergamot essential oil – Traditionally used in folk medicine, bergamot has tension and anxiety reducing compounds. It can help to reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
  • Lemon essential oil – Lemon has an uplifting scent that can reduce tension and lower the heart rate.
  • Juniper essential oil – Juniper has been shown to ease anxiety and depression. It also has tension relieving properties.

Use these essential oils alone in your essential oil diffuser, or use an essential oil blend that contains one or more of them. Sit back and relax as you inhale the compounds that can lead to reduced tension and increased wellbeing.

Muscle Relaxing Massage Oil Recipe

You can also use essential oils in a relaxing massage by diluting them with a carrier oil and rubbing it into the affected area. Create your own blend that does double-duty to ease both muscle pain and release tension:

  • 5 drops lavender essential oil
  • 3 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 2 drops clary sage essential oil
  • 1 drop juniper essential oil
  • 4 oz. carrier oil (almond oil and jojoba oil are good for use in a massage)

Mix all ingredients together and use as needed. Keep the bottle covered tightly. 

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Naturally Reduce Muscle Pain And Tension With Essential Oils

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41 Comments

  2. Thank you for sharing this great article! I have found so many uses for essential oils, and pain is certainly a big one! I like using Clary Sage when it is that time of the month. For me, it helps with cramps. I will have to test these other suggestions. Thank you! Oh, and peppermint will instantly get rid of a headache! Just thought I’d pass that on!

  6. Wow. This article is very informative and interesting. I really want to try one of these natural remedies for my occasional lower back muscle spasms. The marjoram oil sounds promising.

  8. I use both lavender and clary sage in my diffuser AND massage oil when my back is acting up. Lavender in diffuser + heating pad OR my “miracle” magnetic back brace (“miracle” because I can’t figure out HOW it works!)= great night’s sleep!

  11. Interesting article, thank you! To get rid of muscle pain, I massage the affected area with oil of oregano premixed with carrier oil. It helps me numb the pain and heal faster.

  23. I’m very firmilair with some of these oils. You surprised me with few more too. I love learning new things.
    Thank you for all your help.
    Please continue to amaze us🙂

  30. I love the signature blend from Organic Aromas. It came with my Magnificent, which I adore. This article was great because I have serious muscle tension in my jaw in tumes of stress. The Clary Sage and Chamomile Maroc in the Signature Blend loosen my jaw and the sweet smell melts all the tension away. Along with my diffuser, rubbing it on my jaw and behind my ears is a great way to experience this Organic blend.

  41. Thank you especially for the recipe at the end of this article. Very helpful. Who doesn’t suffer from occasional (or frequent) stress and tension these days? Love these natural remedies!

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